Having been in the position of buying a car more than once, I feel it is important for others in the position to prepared when it is time to start shopping. These tips are things that I have found to be very helpful on my hunt and that I will put to use again on future hunts.

Tip #1 – Know What You Can Afford

This is a very important tip because it doesn’t pay to look at a car you can’t afford so you are better off knowing what you can afford and steering clear of those you can’t. A car payment should never be more than 20% of your income and by income, I mean take home pay.

Tip #2 – Shop Around Online Before You Go

Having the internet makes it a lot easier to shop for a used car. Not only can you check out a variety of dealerships and auto sales sites but you can compare inventory and prices and make sure you can get a good deal. Make a list of the cars you found online that you would like to check out in person and save yourself some time.

Tip #3 – Read Reviews

If there is a car that you are interested in, be sure to do yourself a favor and read the reviews on that car. Check for any recalls, check consumer reports and do a Google search on that brand and make to see if there is anything else you should know.

Tip #4 – Take it for a Test Drive

Make sure you take it for a test drive and that the vehicle fits all of your current needs and possibly even your future needs.

Tip #5 – Get a History Report

As much as I hate to say it but you can’t always trust that you are getting the truth from your salesperson about a vehicle’s history. By running a history report you will know if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, if it has been salvaged, how many previous owners and if the odometer is true.

Tip #6 – Have a Reliable Mechanic Check It Out

I cannot stress this enough!! It is so important to have a reliable mechanic, that you trust check over the vehicle before you agree to purchase it.

Tip #7 – Negotiate Your Best Price

Head in knowing what you can afford and what you are willing to spend. Research competitors and private party sales listings and know how they are pricing and check out the value of the vehicle on Kelley Blue Book. Once you have all of these tools, negotiate with the salesperson and let them know what you have researched and make sure you get the best price you can!

Be sure to visit the great selection of new and used inventory at Kunes Country Ford in Delavan, WI.